Sean Eldridge, who was endorsed by the Rensselaer County Democratic Committee as a candidate for the 20th Congressional District, speaks at the Lansingburgh Boys & Girls Club in Troy on Saturday, March 8, 2014.
Mollie Eadie — The Record

Sean Eldridge and U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko listen as the Rensselaer County Democratic Committee formally nominate them to represent the 19th and 20th Congressional Districts during a meetinig at the Lansingburgh Boys & Girls Club in Troy, N.Y., on Saturday, March 8, 2014.
Mollie Eadie — The Record

Eldridge, 27, launched his bid for the seat in September. He previously worked as political director of marriage equality group Freedom to Marry, served on the boards for Planned Parenthood in the Hudson Valley and environmental group Scenic Hudson. He currently runs Hudson River Ventures in Kingston, which invests in small local businesses. He has not yet held a public office.

Eldridge’s husband, Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes, is publisher and editor-in-chief of The New Republic magazine.

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Tonko is currently serving his third term as representative of the 20th District, which represents Albany and Schenectady Counties, and parts of Montgomery, Rensselaer and Saratoga counties.

“If we could just clone Congressman Tonko and have 435 Paul Tonkos in Congress, then we wouldn’t be in this mess,” Eldridge said. “But we can’t do that. So, I’m running for Congress. And I’m honored to have your friendship and support, and honored to have your endorsement.”

“There’s no mistaking that we are at a very critical juncture, and I think there is a huge divide, a huge difference, on how we approach the issues of the day,” said Tonko. “I’m proud to note that I’ll be working with Sean because of his progressive approach to the issues.”

Tonko spoke about a multitude of issues like raising the minimum wage, ageism in employment and creating jobs with renewable energy.

“I am concerned the voice of the middle income community has been denied often times and therefore it’s an unsustainable approach that is taken by the leadership in our house that denies much of the progressive order of policy that this president offers to this nation and asks the House of Representatives to take up,” said Tonko.

Eldridge challenges Rep. Chris Gibson, R-Kinderhook, who has represented the district since 2010. The 19th Congressional District represents all of Ulster, Delaware, Sullivan, Schoharie, Otsego, Greene and Columbia counties, and parts of Rensselaer, Dutchess, Montgomery, and Broome counties. According to filings with the Federal Election Commission, Eldrigde raised more in campaign contributions last year than Gibson.

“Like most of you, I grew up with a family that invested in me, but I also grew up with a country that invested in me, and I’m really concerned, as Congressman Tonko laid out, that we’re not doing that right now for this next generation,” Eldridge said.

Josh Koenig presented a report from a review committee that considered and selected possible candidates for Rensselaer County district attorney, which is currently filled by acting DA Arthur Glass. The committee recommended Rensselaer City Court Judge Carmelo M. Laquidara.

In May, the county Democratic Committee will meet again to endorse candidates for other local public offices for November’s election.

Meanwhile, in other political news, the Columbia County Conservative Committee unanimously endorsed state Senator Kathleen A. Marchione, R,C-Halfmoon, for re-election on Friday night. Marchione represents the 43rd Senate District, which includes all of Columbia County along with portions of Rensselaer, Saratoga and Washington Counties.